Why dont African Americans like the term African American?

Question

Why dont African Americans like the term African American?

Answer 1

To be honest i have no problem with it becuz i am part African and i was born in America so im an Afrcan American but i am not African so thats why i just call myself an Black American.

Answer 2

it really doesnt matter to me. Why do people feel the need to post questions on this? i think its a waste of time personally.

Answer 3

I don't have a problem with it. My ancestors come from Africa but I was born in America. Therefore, African-American is the appropriate term for me. However, I don't have a problem with the term black either.

Answer 4

I don't like it and I'm not AA.  I personally think any hyphenated American is ridiculous.  Either you're  an American or you're not.  My grandparents/parents/aunt/uncles came from Finland and I was the first born here in the states.  When my family EARNED their U.S. citizenship, they no longer considered themselves Finlanders, but AMERICANS.  I'm not a Finnish-American, I'm an AMERICAN.  I was born as an America, I live as an American and I will DIE as an American.  And if that offends anyone they can kiss my red white and blue hind parts! hahahaha

Answer 5

News to me, and them for you to say that. For some reason they were offended being called black. Seeing as how only Africa is African-American, I was surprised when it was changed.

Answer 6

i guess because of the african part

many blacks take that offensively

though i don't have a problem with it

Answer 7

I don't think most do, but there are two likely reasons.

1.) Most of us have never been to Africa

2.) It allows people not disadvantaged by slavery to claim minority status...black Africans may feel racism or xenophobia, but white ones (from South Africa for example) are often just taking advantage of the system.

So it's less that we don't like it and more that it can be problematic, I would say.

Answer 8

Thats an oxymoron right there.LOL

I prefer to be called Black American because I've never set foot in Africa. But to each there own.

Answer 9

Oh God...this week that's no good?...what's the new one? I need to keep up so I'm not racist.

Answer 10

Because they feel no connection to africa. since they've been in the USA for thousands of years.

Answer 11

I see it as since i was not born in africa then i shoudn't be known as african american.

Also by calling us african american society is lumping all africans together.Africa is a continent with 50+ countries all with different cultures,traditions,backgrounds and languages.

If there is a person who's ancestry is from germany,they are not called european americans,they are called german american,there country and heritage is being acknowleged.With african american its like saying that there is absoluely no difference in africans.They see  no need to specify the country like they do with with every other race on the planet.

But on the other hand probably 98% percent of the black popoulation born in america has no idea where their families are from in africa anyway.I guess that since we were stripped of any identity to a specific country in africa society figures they can just throw us all in the same pot and call it a day.

Answer 12

From what I have been told . The problem with the African-American label as it is being used in the USA is that it is inaccurate. All africans are not black. John Kerry's wife described herself as african-american . She was born in Africa and later became an American citizen .

The first hyphenated term I remember that was applied to Blacks  was Afro-American and perhaps that could be reserved for blacks and then African-American could be used for Africans of other races. that could eliminate the confusion .

also ,Many black Americans are not of African descent and resent being placed in that category just because of color.

I can't think of any practical way to accurately identify every hyphenated American . I think it would become too cumbersome .

Perhaps the old system of every citizen being called American regardless of race ,color creed or ancestry was the best after all..